During the “KopiTalk” session held at Tampines North two weeks ago, a resident expressed unhappiness over the reckless behaviour of some cyclists on the pavement.

The relevant authorities are carrying out plans to widen the pavement so as to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.

Unless we strive to be more gracious and magnanimous, this will continue to pose as a problem regardless of the width of the walkway. The bicycle is akin to an iron horse capable of a traveling speed many times higher than that of a pedestrian. Therefore, cyclists have the added responsibility of keeping their acceleration and environment in check. When ringing the bell, they should exercise judgment and discretion, especially when alerting the elderly who require a relatively longer reaction time. Impatience will only create unnecessary burden and distress.

On the other hand, disputes are seemingly unavoidable if pedestrians insist on hogging the entire walkway and refuse to give way to an oncoming cyclist.

Learning the knack of road crossing in Cambodia

It is not an uncommon sight to spot pedestrians staring hard into their mobile phones or actively engaged in their text messages when crossing the road.

As the Chinese saying goes “The roads are no less dangerous than a tiger’s jarring mouth”, it is therefore crucial to make a quick visual scan of both your left and right to ensure that the traffic has come to a halt before crossing the road. In spite of the conscientious efforts to abide by the traffic regulations, it does not render one invulnerable to the traffic hazards. In the unfortunate event of a road accident, even if the driver eventually received the fair punishment meted out, the injured pedestrian remains the one bearing the physical anguish, wallowing in his sorry plight. Is this even worthy of a justification?

During my trip to Cambodia more than ten years ago, I found it almost an impossible mission to cross the roads in the sea of motorists and pedestrians when there was no proper traffic infrastructure. It took me some time to finally realize that the pedestrians had to move along with the streaming vehicles in order to get to the other side of the road. While people do not drive fast, motorists would also not stop to give way to pedestrians. Hence, the trick to crossing the roads with ease in Cambodia – pedestrians blending in with the traffic.

Rational planning interweaved with sensible complementarities makes the art of harmonious living

Singapore is a law-abiding nation with what we know to be the “to do’s” and “not to do’s” explicitly spelt out. Law enforcers are also efficient to issue summons, warnings, composition fines or even mete out the penalty of imprisonment, all of which will indubitably serve their respective purposes. However, can we just outsource our security to our polished and efficient Home Team and therefore subscribe to a lower level of vigilance and surveillance against external jeopardy? On the contrary, will we tailor every aspect of our lives in accordance with the law and ride on the privileges legally prescribed, and refuse to make compromises?

The zebra crossings and traffic lights are modern infrastructure that lend assistance to moderate traffic flow. Nevertheless, we must never take their usually functional and robust capability for granted and gets trapped in the assumption that these tools are unassailable and fail-safe. Neither should we lose our innate ability to negotiate traffic in the absence of these provisions.

Building interpersonal relationships and living together in a common space not only ask for sagacious planning but also jive with the virtue of emotional and mental forbearance. Sometimes it serves us better to be less fastidious and to exercise greater consideration towards the needs of others.

Patience and tolerance in the fit of rage begets serenity and harmony.

While waiting for the market to clear its vision, don’t know want to dive or want to fly, there is still kachang puteh money to make from trading some stocks in a range.

Olam is currently trading in the range of 2.28 and 2.38. Put in the Stop loss at 2.18 in order not to get yourself into depression. The stock itself is trending too, so it’s either break up or break down. There is no proof that every trade is a winner.

It’s ‘chiam tan’ (small profit) and hard-earned too. You have to ‘geng’ (figure out) when to buy in and how much you want to make, how many days you want to hold. At times, you walk in and walk out within the day. You have to check the sentiment of the day too. You need at least 10 lots to make the kachang puteh with a commission rate of 0.18% is more ideal.

After you have tasted the ‘fruit’, walk away. Wait for the next ‘bud’ (the low) to appear. Probably, can play 2 or 3 times in a month.